Update 3/3/19: Just a friendly reminder to book before these changes go into effect. Reddit user gordie44 also points out that bookings made before March 5th, 2019 seem to have a cancellation policy where you must cancel before March 4th, 2019 rather than 30 days prior to the stay. Not sure if this is affecting all properties, or just select properties.
Marriott has announced changes to award categories for 2019. These changes will go into effect on March 5th, 2019. The full list of changes can be found here (courtesy of View From The Wing). Keep in mind Marriott on March 5th some properties will fall under the new category 8 price as well, so this is really a double devaluation. Some statistics about the changes:
- 383 properties will be changing category:
- 346 will increase in price
- 37 will decrease in price
- 71 properties will be going from category 5 to category 6. This means they will no longer be usable for annual free night certificates. In comparison only 3 properties are going from category 6 to 5.
- 22 properties will be going from category 6 to category 7. This means they will no longer be usable for annual free night certificates on premium cards.
Keep in mind Marriott has a third devaluation planned for this year with the introduction of off-peak and peak pricing. Given the difficulties Marriott has been having with the SPG merger I’m actually surprised we are seeing a devaluation this bad, although that might be because the C-Suite team fails to recognize large scale problems still affecting loyalty members and prefers to blame it on noise around the edges.
I scrambled to confirm a reservation last night that needed points and I made a couple reservations to use the credit card certs. As of this writing, the properties are still at the lower category.
None of my reservations have new cancellation policy (but I screenshotted them nonetheless). I have one moving up to category 8 too. None of them are super inspirational properties though.
Wow I used to think the SPG cards were great but now this new stupid named card “BONVOY” is garbage. They are raising the annual fee from $95 to $135 for the old SPG and SPG business cards and now making the annual certificate almost useless by moving all the CAT 5 hotels to CAT 6…while decreasing the point earning value on the cards from “3 to 1” now to “2 to 1”. Bye Bye
“rather than 30 days prior to the stay. ”
Don’t most reservations have to be cancelled only 24-48 hours before it starts?
Did any really have 30 days clause and i missed it?
I think some of the more fancy/luxurious properties?
All Hawaii properties are 30 days I believe.
Hong Kong sky city Marriott going to category five. I just snuck in under the wire for a night in April. However it does allow me to cancel up to the day before (not March 4th). I looked at the list this is a major devaluation. Another reason I’m switching the Hyatt
I still have a couple of 7-night certificates that I have not been able to use. Time to figure that out.
What made SPG great is mostly gone and it isn’t coming back.
The hotels are still there though, and there is some value in the “Bonvoy” program. Just another option now to use or not as it works for you.
just got the free certificate credited to account but the af not charged yet. if i cancel card since not worth it anymore, would they pull back the free night certificate?
in my experience, once its in your marriott account, it stays there
2 days until Marrott drops the hammer with peak pricing. I will wait and see if it affects the hotels that I have in mind I will not apply for business version and will cancel the personal version next year. Bonvoyage Marriott. or arios, whatever you prefer.